Advance Life Transformation is a service provided by Healing Shepherd Ministries, a non-profit corporation, which has been ministering to the hurting since 2003. It was started by Pastor Gerry and Dianne van der Wende, as an expression of their calling to minister Jesus' healing to the hurting.
Gerry earned a Master of Practical Theology degree from The King's University, majoring in counseling. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the International Association of Therapists. He is a certified professional life coach, and earned an accredited grief and bereavement counselor certificate (IAOTH).
He is an ordained minister and chaplain, having been licensed in 2003. He has served as senior church pastor, rehab program chaplain, state prison chaplain, and hospice and bereavement chaplain. He currently ministers at church, in missions, and as a transformation life coach.
Dianne served at Big Brothers Big Sisters where she taught "at-risk" teenagers about the perils of addiction to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Dianne and Gerry were on the Teen Challenge Susanville founding committee, where Dianne served as secretary.
They have three wonderful children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, each of whom is the absolute best!
Gerry and Dianne have experienced healing following the loss of a spouse to cancer, divorce, death of a stepchild, deliverance from addiction, and the results of childhood abuse. They are both cancer survivors.
They have a passion for seeing people healed and set free to live to their full potential!